Added Leaderboard improvements to keep track of your friends’ accomplishments, as well as your own

Updates to the Boat Blast Mini-Game. Head to the docks in the Backyard Battleground to check out the updates, including the improved Boat Blast Leaderboards: Compete with friends for the highest score in Boat Blast

Note: you still need to qualify for the Mini-Game by completing the three initial Boat Blast quests

Added Legendary Background to Legendary Items in the Customisation Menu

Added item rarity to borders in the sticker book

Story Quests no longer appear in the Players Quest Log when all Story Quests have been completed

Allows players to hold two extra Quests

Added some audio stingers during reloads for some Party Characters

AI now runs back to defend the flag if enemies are capturing it in Flag of Power Mode

Added wave number information to HUD between waves

Legendary Characters get some health back when triggering their Legendary Mode in low health

Added a bind key on PC for Drone Self Destruct

Added Aqua Center Quests to Quest Board

Critical fixes:

Numerous stability improvements

Fixed issue where players in game groups would occasionally not hear music upon joining Ops Mode

Fixed issue where Infinity Time Match would not start due to Privacy Settings

Fixed issue where players would lose functionality in Infinity Time looting area if time was destabilized by the Gnome King

Additional stability improvements to Infinity Time Mode

Fixed some latency conditions when players would enter the server

Fixed rare issue where Quest Board would sometimes leave players in a hang after accepting Quests

Fixed issue where players would sometimes lag in the Backyard Battleground when Gnome Cave would open

Fixed occasional crash when accessing Leaderboards

General bug fixes

Made some additional Hit Detection improvements

Made some minor performance improvements

Fixed issue where sometimes music wouldn’t play between waves

Fixed timer issue when extra time was not being awarded when lowering bridge in Time Park Map

Added V/O for idle animations to all characters

Fixed camera going into an unwanted orientation when Kernel Corn uses Husk Hop from an elevated position

Fixed issue where Superhero bobble heads wouldn’t make noise

Fixed issue where the default region would occasionally be set incorrectly

Fixed exploit when the drone could enter Crazy Targets when started by another user

Fixed Gnome Bomb issue where Gnome Bomb location would not be shown to the player that joined in-progress

Fixed issue where XP scoring would not properly trigger for players in Suburbination Mode, when multiple players capture a point simultaneously

Fixed several instances of audible popping while playing the game

Fixed bad frame when selecting Solo Play from the Backyard Battleground

Fixed issue where characters would sometimes play taunt after entering Pots and Bots UI

Fixed issue where sometimes the last Zombie would not spawn in the Retrieve the Chickens Bonus Challenge

Fixed issue where only the host would see the ‘Game Over’ message after losing the flag in Flag of Power Mode

Fixed issue with Air Horn audio not playing when a match is won during overtime

Fixed issue where difficulty would change when a player joins other players’ Backyard Battleground

Fixed issue where Infinite-Ammo would not apply to some characters when using Crazy Settings

Shared vanquish now counts when assisting in the vanquish of Zen Sensei

Fixed incorrect character names showing in several instances when playing Solo-Ops

Fixed issue where revive audio would continue to play after player is vanquished mid-revive

Fixed some matchmaking enhancements to ensure players are matchmaking to closest region server

The new update brings a new map, missions and other balance changes and gameplay features. The new map is Aqua Center, which was featured in the original Garden Warfare, though it has been zombified.

EA also added microtransactions that let you exchange real money for in-game currency. There’s a number of packs available, starting from $2.49 for 56,000 coins, and up to $20 for 630,000 coins.

Here’s everything new:

The all-new Aqua Center map

New quests located throughout the Backyard Battleground offering up exciting challenges

New gameplay and control options

Character tweaks, improvements, and balances

A nighttime version of The Great White North map

Take a look at Graveyard Variety in the new trailer:

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2016/03/08/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-2-gets-free-maps-quests-balance-changes/feed/0EA Access adds first non-Xbox One game to the vaulthttp://www.vg247.com/2016/03/01/ea-access-plants-vs-zombies-xbox-360-backwards-compatible/
http://www.vg247.com/2016/03/01/ea-access-plants-vs-zombies-xbox-360-backwards-compatible/#respondTue, 01 Mar 2016 08:49:07 +0000https://www.vg247.com/?p=572060EA Access now includes more than Xbox One games.

EA has added another game to the EA Access vault on Xbox One. The new game, surprisingly, is not an Xbox One release.

That game is Plants vs Zombies, the original tower-defence hit, not the shooter Garden Warfare. Plants vs Zombies was released on Xbox 360 Arcade back in 2010, and it’s now available through backwards compatibility.

EA Access subscribers now have access to it, making it the first non-Xbox One title to be part of the vault. According to EA, more backwards compatible games will also be added in the future.

EA and Origin Access members on PC and Xbox One, can now download Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 to play the trial. This is the full game download, at around 20 GB, and you can play it for up to ten hours.

You get access to the game’s co-op and multiplayer modes, and your progress carries over to the full game if you decide to buy it. You also get a 10 percent discount on any digital purchases, so long as you have an active subscription.

Garden Warfare 2 launches February 23 on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The reviews so far are pretty promising.

One of the seemingly under-the-radar releases of February, Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, comes out next week. The sequel to 2014’s Plants vs Zombies off-shoot is pitched as a bigger, more varied game.

Garden Warfare 2 features a single-player campaign, multiplayer for up to 24 players, as well as split-screen. At the centre of all that is Backyard Battleground, the game’s interactive hub.

Through it, you get thrown into the various modes the game offers, and the palace itself acts as a way to pass the time by playing mini-games while you wait for matchmaking.

EA has released a new video for Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 to show off all 12 multiplayer maps that are going to be available at launch. The maps are pretty distinct, and feature hidden secrets and Easter eggs.

They all support the game’s 24-player modes, and you can see a glimpse of each one in the video below.

EA has announced that starting Thursday, January 14, the Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 beta will start on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The beta will be open to everyone and actually sounds pretty meaty.

Backyard Battleground, the game’s interactive hub world will be available, alongside the KOTH-style mode Flag of Power.

The beta will have four maps, as well as six new character classes and some returning ones. Both Herbal Assault and Gardens & Graveyards multiplayer modes will be available, each supporting 12v12.

The hub world of Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is called Backyard Battleground. Doing away with classic menu design, and opting for a playable, active hub world, PopCap say Backyard Battleground is designed to get you into the action instantly.

Backyard Battleground includes co-op and single-player horde mode, and it even lets you switch over to the zombies side. This playable hub allows you to access many of the game’s missions, try your weapons in a shooting range, create and customise characters, and much more.

Watch as senior creative director Jeremy Vanhoozer explain and show off everything it has to offer.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is out in February 23 on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Everyone likes free games, right? That’s why Origin’s On the House scheme is so popular.

It’s not a trial or a timed offer – claim your copy now and it’s yours for as long as you have an active Origin ID. Since Origin membership is free, that’s forever, I guess.

If you’re not familiar with Zuma’s Revenge, it’s a pretty popular Popcap title. It’s pretty different from Peggle and Bejewelled, but if you like either of those you’ll probably fancy it. Go forth and claim it.

Plants vs Zombies 2 players can no longer listen to music (or any other external audio) while playing, apparently.

According to ModernDistraction, the latest update to the iOS version of the game even blocks the iOS quick menu audio option – so it’s not just a matter of one application closing another active one.

It seems like an odd thing to do deliberately, but given that playing music over other apps is built into iOS it seems like quite a difficult feat to achieve by accident.

That’s a bit of a shame for those who like to listen to music as they play. With respect to PopCap’s sound team that’s most of us, I’d imagine – especially while commuting, which is when a lot of mobile gaming happens.

No idea whether this applies to the Android version, unfortunately, and although I am committed to my job I am not downloading that life-eating app to check.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2015/01/14/sounds-like-plants-vs-zombies-2s-latest-ios-update-has-a-downside/feed/0Peggle 2 out now on PS4http://www.vg247.com/2014/10/15/peggle-2-out-now-on-ps4/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/10/15/peggle-2-out-now-on-ps4/#respondWed, 15 Oct 2014 03:05:37 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=495902Peggle 2 has broken free of Xbox exclusivity to begin its probable spread to everything with a screen.

Peggle 2 launched on Xbox One in December last year, and made its way to Xbox 360 in May. The PS4 version is the first non-Microsoft port.

One of the things PopCap likes about being owned by EA is having the resources to make lots and lots of ports, so stay tuned for a release on your platform of choice.

Bejeweled 3 is now free to download for a limited time on Origin, you can head through the link or through your Origin client.

You have until October 28 to grab it, before it goes back to its original price.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/09/17/bejeweled-3-is-currently-free-on-origin/feed/0Peggle 2 is finally coming to PS4 this Octoberhttp://www.vg247.com/2014/08/30/peggle-2-is-finally-coming-to-ps4-this-october/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/08/30/peggle-2-is-finally-coming-to-ps4-this-october/#respondSat, 30 Aug 2014 17:34:51 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=489106Peggle 2 will finally be making the jump from Microsoft platforms to Sony ones this October.

The PopCap game initially launched only on Xbox One, later came to Xbox 360, and now it’s finally coming to PlayStation 4 October 14.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/08/30/peggle-2-is-finally-coming-to-ps4-this-october/feed/0But … we just had a new Peggle game?http://www.vg247.com/2014/07/23/but-we-just-had-a-new-peggle-game/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/07/23/but-we-just-had-a-new-peggle-game/#commentsWed, 23 Jul 2014 00:27:49 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=483833PopCap is making a new Peggle game – even though we only just got one.

The new Peggle was outed during EA’s conference call to investors, and was one of a number of pieces of news yielded by EA’s quarterly financial report.

“A much-anticipated new Peggle game from PopCap is moving through a test period in preparation for launch,” CEO Andrew Wilson said..

It’s a surprising bit of news given that Peggle 2 only arrived on Xbox One in December 2013. However, it’s possible Wilson was referring to a new port; so far Peggle 2 has only been ported to Xbox 360, but we’re expecting it to come to anything and everything eventually. Another possibility is the free-to-play mobile verison which has been in soft testing.

The game came out last February for Xbox One and Xbox 360, later announced for PC, and was long believed to be a Microsoft exclusive. This has changed however, EA has announced that it will be bringing the game to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 August 19.

This version of the game will come with Garden Variety and Zomboss Down DLC packs that have been released on Xbox before. If you pre-order the shooter, you’ll get two digital card packs, containing Ratchet & Clank, Fat Princess and Sly Cooper-themed customization options.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/05/31/surprise-pvz-garden-warfare-is-coming-to-playstation-platforms-this-year/feed/8Plants Vs Zombies: GOTY Edition is free to all on Originhttp://www.vg247.com/2014/05/09/plants-vs-zombies-goty-edition-is-free-to-all-on-origin/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/05/09/plants-vs-zombies-goty-edition-is-free-to-all-on-origin/#commentsFri, 09 May 2014 08:26:11 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=470713Plants Vs Zombies: Game of the Year Edition is currently free to all on Origin as part of EA’s ‘On The House’ promotion.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/05/09/plants-vs-zombies-goty-edition-is-free-to-all-on-origin/feed/1Peggle 2 releases today on Xbox 360 in North America and Europehttp://www.vg247.com/2014/05/07/peggle-2-releases-today-on-xbox-360-in-north-america-and-europe/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/05/07/peggle-2-releases-today-on-xbox-360-in-north-america-and-europe/#commentsWed, 07 May 2014 13:16:26 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=470044Peggle 2 will be released on Xbox 360 worldwide today, and to celebrate, EA has released a set of screenshots. Whether they are new or now, we’ve no idea but have a look anyway. The Xbox 360 version contains multiplayer Duel Mode just like the Xbox One version. Enjoy the shots below.

“Starting next week, players will be given the option to purchase coins from the Sticker Shop, which allows players the ability to access new packs and character content more quickly – all the same content that can be earned through regular gameplay,” a weekend update on EA’s blog revealed.

“Now you have the choice to play your way; you can play to get new packs and content via earned coins in the game, or you can purchase coins to get more of the packs and content you want right away.”

Garden Warfare is a humorous third-person squad shooter which is enjoying ongoing support from PopCap, including the recent free content update. It is exclusive to Xbox 360 and Xbox One at this stage, but coming to PC soon.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/04/27/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-to-support-microtransactions/feed/0Peggle 2: Windy’s Master Pack DLC releases from todayhttp://www.vg247.com/2014/04/22/peggle-2-windys-master-pack-dlc-releases-from-today/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/04/22/peggle-2-windys-master-pack-dlc-releases-from-today/#respondTue, 22 Apr 2014 17:01:09 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=466278Peggle 2 DLC, called the Windy’s Master Pack, will be released starting today. The DLC contains Windy the Fairy who can garner large point amounts using her Fairy Flock power. The content also contains 10 new levels, 30 additional objectives and three new achievements. It will run you $2. Thanks, IGN.
]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/04/22/peggle-2-windys-master-pack-dlc-releases-from-today/feed/0Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare’s free Wild West in Zomboss Down game pack now availablehttp://www.vg247.com/2014/04/15/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfares-free-wild-west-in-zomboss-down-game-pack-now-available/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/04/15/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfares-free-wild-west-in-zomboss-down-game-pack-now-available/#respondTue, 15 Apr 2014 14:15:00 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=465155Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare has new content available from today, called Wild West in Zomboss Down. The free pack featured the Cactus Canyon Gardens and Graveyards Map, eight new playable characters, over 200 wild customization items, an increased Level cap from 20 to 30 for each character, and new Xbox One and Xbox 360 challenges. In addition, players will discover weapon upgrades and skins for new characters, new accessories, tattoos and facial hair, and more. A trailer and screenshots are below.

Unfortunately, it looks like Xbox 360 players will be left waiting for the patch a little longer. It appears to be a pressing matter, as some games have reportedly complained that the first DLC pack has caused players’ consoles to freeze. That’s obviously not good.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/03/21/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-update-to-hit-xbox-one-tonight-should-fix-dlc-crash-issue/feed/0Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare first DLC pack, Garden Variety is out tomorrowhttp://www.vg247.com/2014/03/17/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-first-dlc-pack-garden-variety-is-out-tomorrow/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/03/17/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-first-dlc-pack-garden-variety-is-out-tomorrow/#commentsMon, 17 Mar 2014 15:33:40 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=457312Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare will receive its first free DLC pack tomorrow, in the form of the Garden Variety DLC. The pack features a new map, game mode, and 24 new abilities for all classes.

The Garden Variety DLC is the first of many DLC packs currently in development for the shooter. The pack contains a new map, titled ‘Chomp Town’. 24 new class abilities, three for each class. One of the new abilities, titled ‘Chomper’s Super Goop’ cements zombies in place.

The star of the pack however is the new game mode, Gnome Bomb. The mode is an 8v8 affair that pits both teams against each other in a race to capture a bomb strapped to the back of a gnome, and detonate it at the other team’s base -similar to Battlefield 4’s Obliteration mode.

PopCap also added that the free pack will be available to download from Xbox Live Starting tomorrow, March 18.

]]>http://www.vg247.com/2014/03/17/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-first-dlc-pack-garden-variety-is-out-tomorrow/feed/3PopCap lays off an undisclosed number of employeeshttp://www.vg247.com/2014/03/13/popcap-lays-off-an-undisclosed-number-of-employees/
http://www.vg247.com/2014/03/13/popcap-lays-off-an-undisclosed-number-of-employees/#commentsThu, 13 Mar 2014 19:28:34 +0000http://www.vg247.com/?p=456615PopCap has laid off an undisclosed number of employees today, EA has confirmed to GameFront after anonymous sources told the site early this morning about possible redundancies.

Here’s the full statement handed to GameFront by PopCap GM John Vechey:

“The changes we made today at PopCap were painful and we’re sorry to lose some of our friends and colleagues. But it was also necessary in order to stay on course with our future plans for mobile games, live services, and new IP.

“PopCap is a studio that made its name building great games that the world can fall in love with, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

EA would not confirm a specific number of layoffs, but an undisclosed source told GF that the number of staffer let go is around the 30 mark.